So where might you expect to find the UK's top deli? Notting Hill perhaps? Maybe Kensington High Street or the King's Road? Possibly the foodhall in Harrod's or Selfridge's? Well in fact you'd be wrong. By a long way. And I mean a long, LONG way - by around 123 miles in fact.

Delilah's, Lace Market, Nottingham
Delilah's, in the historic Lace Market district of Nottingham, in the East Midlands, was recently voted 2012 Britain's No. 1 Deli at the 2012 Guild of Fine Food Awards. This is only the last in a long list of national accolades, including the BBC Good Food Magazine's Best Independent Deli. If you take a moment to wander into their Aladdin's cave of a shop, just diagonally across from Nottingham Contemporary, you can soon see what all the fuss is about. The shop is hung with all sorts of intriguing and tempting delights - some quite unique - offerings of oak roasted garlic bulbs, freeze dried mandarin segments, regional East Midlands produce - including local fine wines, an extensive sleection of cheese, cured meats, oils, dressing and fine wines. The focus is on artisan-produced, handmade products, and it's foodie-heaven.

Garlic bulbs at Delilah's, Nottingham
To top it all off, there is an intimate (though busy) tapas style food bar right in the heart of the place, where you can test all that is on offer and seemingly more. If you can't walk out the door and leave it all behind, consider the bespoke
hamper service, which when I was there included seasonal picnic hampers for Trent Bridge Cricket-goers and Her Majesty's Jubilee Picnic Hamper for Two (alcohol optional) along with Gentleman's hampers, real ale gift trays and hot chocolate tasting baskets. Prices start at around GBP30 per hamper.

Tapas Bar at Delilah's, Nottingham
In October, Delilah's is relocating to larger premises just round the corner from its original Middle Pavement home, aiming to spread its wings a little further in the roomier old HSBC Bank building on the corner of Victoria Street. Well worth a visit to find out what all the Awards are about.

Tempting Tastings at Delilah's